Head to head
European Barracuda vs Great Barracuda
European Barracuda
VS Great Barracuda
The European barracuda and the great barracuda are two members of the same genus, long, silvery, fanged hunters of warm seas.
| European Barracuda | Great Barracuda | |
|---|---|---|
| Scientific name | Sphyraena sphyraena | Sphyraena barracuda |
| Relationship | A close relative of the great barracuda, in the same genus | A close relative of the European barracuda, in the same genus |
| Size | Some individuals reach about a metre in length | Commonly 60 to 100 cm, with large individuals to 1.7 m and over 20 kg |
| Body | A long, slim, silvery body, a dark back, and a lower jaw that projects beyond the upper | A long, torpedo-shaped silver body with a large mouth |
| Teeth | Large, sharp, fang-like teeth in both jaws | Small outer gripping teeth and long dagger-like inner teeth that slot into the opposite jaw |
| Hunting | Hangs motionless until prey comes within range, then strikes in a burst of speed, hunting in shoals when young and alone when large | Ambushes by day, hanging motionless and then making a single explosive lunge at speeds of up to about 40 km per hour |
| Diet | Fish such as sardines, anchovies, and mullet, along with squid | Snappers, grunts, mullet, jacks, and other fish, with some squid and shrimp |
| Range | The Mediterranean and the eastern Atlantic, from the Bay of Biscay to West Africa | Tropical and warm-temperate seas worldwide, except the eastern Pacific, over reefs, seagrass, mangroves, and open water |
European Barracuda vs Great Barracuda: common questions
Which barracuda is bigger?
The great barracuda, which can reach 1.7 m and more than 20 kg, while the European barracuda reaches about a metre.
What is ciguatera?
It is a toxin that large reef barracuda can accumulate from algae-eating prey, which causes illness in people who eat them, though the fish itself shows no ill effect.
Are they dangerous to swimmers?
Both are fanged predators, but attacks on swimmers are rare for both species.